India''s act east push to ties with Myanmar

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 22

India and Myanmar held fresh round of discussions on bilateral issues, including development in Rakhine state, the seat of the forced exodus of Rohingya minority. 

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale during an official visit to Myanmar today called on the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Talks focussed on enhancing cooperation in areas of connectivity, security, people to people relation , economics and commerce. 

The scheduled visit comes just days after United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres during his Delhi visit urged India to play a larger role in providing assistance to millions of Rohingya refugees camped in Bangladesh and to leverage pressure on Myanmar for their early and safe repatriation.

Gokhale also discussed connectivity and India assisted transport infrastructure being developed with U Thant Sin Maung, Myanmarese Minister of Transport and Communications. The two sides later inked an MoU for the appointment of a private Port Operator for the Operation and Maintenance of Sittwe Port, Paletwa Inland Water Terminal and associated facilities that are part of the Kaladan Multi Model Transit Transport Project. 

"This is a significant step in the implementation of India's Act East Policy as its signing will enhance Myanmar's connectivity, including with India, and add to the development of the whole region, particularly in the Rakhine and Chin States of Myanmar. It would also add to local infrastructure capacity and help in creating more job opportunities for the local people," said the Ministry fo External Affairs in its statement. 

During the visit, Gokhale also held discussions with Commander in Chief of Myanmar Defence Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. 

"All matters relating to border security, bilateral cooperation, Myanmar's peace process as well as the situation in Northern Rakhine State were discussed during the meeting," added the MEA statement.